DENGUE NEGLIGENCE IN BRAZIL: A DOCUMENTARY ANALYSIS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE SOUTHEAST REGION (2015–2024)

Abstract

Between 2015 and 2024, Brazil experienced recurrent dengue epidemics, particularly in the periods 2015-2016 and 2023-2024, necessitating substantial public investments. However, the institutional response to the disease remains marked by structural failures, underreporting, and discontinuity in prevention, despite its epidemiological relevance and increasing costs. This article conducts an in-depth qualitative documentary analysis of the economic impact of dengue in the Southeast Region of Brazil, detailing direct and indirect costs. The research examines the evolution of federal investments and their application in the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo, contrasting financial contributions with the persistence of outbreaks. The results show that the increase in funding alone did not ensure greater control effectiveness, with a reactive model and insufficient long-term planning prevailing. The detailed cost analysis, including indirect costs such as productivity loss and hospital overload (with hospitalization costs 22% above the national average in the region), and the lack of robust impact assessment mechanisms reinforce the urgency for sustainable, intersectoral public policies with efficient management, focused on continuous prevention and the integration of surveillance and primary care.